leffe186

The camera for the Bristol City match is somewhere in the stratosphere.

I like to see home teams’ hopes crushed more so that tips the balance for me.

Mixed emotions here

Just got in. Is he seriously doing this again? Didn’t he just get a ban?

I think I’m at the ABA stage of the season now.

“Where appropriate”. I’ll tell him where it’s appropriate.

I’ll give it another go. I think Lineker is terrific, but I’m not wholly convinced by Shearer on a podcast and Richards is a bit like having Kaka on at times.

Any decent general (English) footy podcasts out there worth a listen? Feeling a gap this morning.

It’s just what always happens, we’ve seen it a million times. There’s an issue (deliberate cynical fouls to stop a counter). The authorities instruct refs to clamp down on it. They do, and there is a rash of bookings. Most managers whinge and cry, some refs start to back off, certain teams get favourable treatment (looking at you here, Man City). At some point (always before the problem is fixed) refs start getting hung out to dry and it all falls apart. Cynical fouls, diving, 6-second rule for keepers, stupid penalty run-ups, time-wasting on dead balls, whatever. It’s always the same. And fuck blue cards. Just apply the rules - sorry, laws, who gives a fuck.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13051579/amp/Jim-Ratcliffe-Old-Trafford-Wembley-North-project-rebuild-Manchester-United.html Levelling up indeed.

Fun game this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68186145 The Bellingham-Greenwood thing. My gut tells me it’s silly that we have a lip-reader assessing what he said, but I imagine if It was something racist (for example) that was alleged I’d be more pissed at Bellingham? Not sure what I think about this.

Just imagine the sort of decisions you’re going to see when we play there.

Forgot to post about this the other night after the Man City game, walking the dog tonight reminded me: I was walking the dog past my old primary school that night when I saw a bright blue glow on the horizon to the east. I quickly realized that you can now see the Tottenham Stadium from there. We moved my Mum to a flat overlooking the pitch I played my first proper match on - just down the road from my house - and you can see it even better from her balcony. It’s so tall it’s now visible over houses and flats in between. I’m not even sure what the little thing is really, just that I felt quite emotional when I realized what I was looking at. It’s the same primary school my Dad went to in the 50s, while he was living in that same house…with his Uncle Cyril who took him to Spurs. We’d walk down that same road together on the way to Spurs games in the 80s. So I guess that’s what it is. “We sometimes lose sight of what sport is about. I have come to understand this. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about the connections it makes. It connects people, cities and countries. It connects parents to their children.” Coming back here restores the direct physical connection with the club too - and that really does mean something. Still.

They won’t let you make that mistake again.

Let me know how much Klopp bullshit there is and I’ll try to gauge how much Liverpool I can stomach for the rest of the year.

Ah right, didn’t see that match. I just meant that I think the way you played last night is the best way for you to play right now full stop, and it’s also the best way to beat Aston Villa. Maybe it would change with different players?

Oh yeah sorry I actually meant to but forgot

Yeah I agree - you could see how important he is for them. I just think you’re their Kryptonite. Well-organized press and defence, and pace up front and on the wings. Their defence is so square at times. You rode your luck a bit but just did enough defensively and they seemed a little out of sync going forward. We battered them at ours but couldn’t put them away and they clawed it back. The difference was that - after missing two gilt-edged chances - you did put them away. I think Howe just made all the right calls. Realistically there are now a whole group of teams who have a plan and could sort of go either way. Good but not great - you, us, Villa, probably Arsenal. Chelsea too tbh. Liverpool one step ahead, Man City a step or two more. Them and Arsenal have the squad to cope with the injuries and games. You us and Villa are getting there.

Would you ever play Gordon down the middle and Almiron on the left?

It really does. Both teams are just playing the way they play. That means you’ll have your heart in your mouth around your own box, but you’ll tear them apart with balls behind or in-between defenders.

Mint. Maybe their luck is starting to run out.

Right lads, the wife (Villa fan) is out, I’m picking up the beers right now and going to settle in. HTT. Who’ve you got fit for this one?

Again not buying the bullshit from the CIV CB. Quite enjoying this ref.

I kind of respect the ref for not giving it to the home team in this stadium at first